House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	April 27, 2023 02:28 PM
From:	Representative Christopher M. Rabb and Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Rep. Maureen E. Madden, Rep. Benjamin V. Sanchez
To:	All House members
Subject:	Protecting Medical Cannabis Patients and Providers

Although medical cannabis has been legalized in our Commonwealth since 2016, too frequently patients and providers encounter roadblocks. Medical cannabis patients should not have to feel threatened in their homes or on the job solely for the fact that they are taking their prescribed medication. Additionally, providers of medical cannabis should not have to fear retaliation from commercial landlords when they are providing a legal and lifesaving medicine.

To resolve these fears, we will be reintroducing a package of legislation that would provide protections to both patients and providers. This legislative package would amend the Medical Marijuana Act to include protections for:

Commercial tenants that are permitted to prescribe or distribute medical cannabis without the constant threat of eviction by stating that a landlord may not evict, threaten to evict, or otherwise discriminate against a commercial tenant for the lawful sale or possession of medical cannabis (formerly HB 901);
Employees who fail to pass a drug test due to their use of medical cannabis as a qualified patient by prohibiting employers from discharging, threatening, refusing to hire, or otherwise discriminating against such employees (formerly HB 902); and,
Residential tenants who are prescribed medical cannabis by providing that a residential landlord may not evict, threaten to evict, or otherwise discriminate against their tenants for their usage or possession of medical cannabis (formerly HB 903).

Medical cannabis is lifesaving, legal medicine that helps many individuals including cancer patients and those trying to manage epilepsy. We must ensure that patients can feel safe using their prescribed medicine and that providers can conduct their business with peace of mind.

Please join us in co-sponsoring this imperative legislation so we can provide necessary protections for both medical cannabis patients and providers across Pennsylvania.

Document #1

Introduced as HB986

Description:	Commercial tenants that are permitted to prescribe or distribute medical cannabis without the constant threat of eviction by stating that a landlord may not evict, threaten to evict, or otherwise discriminate against a commercial tenant for the lawful sale or possession of medical cannabis (formerly HB 901).

Document #2

Introduced as HB984

Description:	Employees who fail to pass a drug test due to their use of medical cannabis as a qualified patient by prohibiting employers from discharging, threatening, refusing to hire, or otherwise discriminating against such employees (formerly HB 902).

Document #3

Introduced as HB985

Description:	Residential tenants who are prescribed medical cannabis by providing that a residential landlord may not evict, threaten to evict, or otherwise discriminate against their tenants for their usage or possession of medical cannabis (formerly HB 903).

Memo Updated: April 27, 2023 02:29 PM